Synthesis Matrix

The purpose of this activity is to prepare students to write their text-in-conversation assignment or literature review. Using a chart or matrix students relate different sources to each other according to themes, topics, keywords, or codes.

Author(s): Stephanie Reist (adapted from an activity produced by Esiteli Hafoka using NC State Writing and and Speaking Tutorial materials)

Course: PWR1/PWR2

Activity length: 60 Minutes

Schedule: Typically during Week 5 once students have a few sources for the TiC, typically before the first draft.

Activity goals:

To break down and summarize sources by topic, themes, and keywords
To contrast different sources with each other
To synthesize points of agreement, disagreement, and divergence between sources
To effectively and ethically sort sources in writing
To organize research for the TiC/literature review

Activity details:

Ask students to bring the 2-4 sources they have already read, annotated, and created annotated bibliography entries for to class.
I present the synthesis matrix, using this handout from the NC State Tutoring and Writing Center. I emphasize synthesis over summary.
We then look at the example in the NC State handout.
Using previous class readings, we generate possible key terms and subtopics to fill out the matrix on this worksheet. In addition to organizing by topic, I have also included a column on “method,” as this is often an overlooked point of divergence between sources. I explain that method could include academic discipline and methods for conducting research, as well as geographic or temporal divergences.

The worksheet also includes sentence templates that students can begin to use to draft their literature review.